Blog

How should you quote a new client before the engagement letter? Compare value based pricing, fixed fees and hourly rates, then put the fee in writing.

Ending a client relationship? Use this client termination letter template to give notice, settle fees, hand back records and update your ATO client list.

Client TFNs exposed? Contain it, assess it within the OAIC’s time limit and report it if it is a notifiable data breach. Set up your plan today.

Renew your TPB registration before it expires. The TPB reviews each tax agent renewal against set requirements, and a late application has consequences.

Before you register a company for a client, collect director IDs, consents and a constitution. See ASIC Form 201 and the registrations that follow.

Need to register a business name for a client? See the ASIC steps, the 1 or 3 year cost, business name renewal and what to record at onboarding.

Check a new client’s GST status, complete GST registration online as their agent and record when the registration takes effect.

Before offering a fee from refund service, get the client’s authority, handle the refund through the right account and check the TPB and APES 310 rules.

What is a testamentary trust in Australia, how is its income taxed and what should you collect from the trustee when one becomes your client?

If a new client hasn’t lodged for years, lodge the overdue tax returns in the right order, amend earlier mistakes and ask the ATO to remit penalties.

If a client’s business has closed, sold or shrunk, here is how to cancel their GST registration online, the final BAS and the assets GST rule.

Has a client’s company stopped trading? Check it qualifies for voluntary deregistration, lodge with ASIC, and see how to reinstate a company.

What is an IAS and how does it differ from a BAS? See which clients get an instalment activity statement, when it is due and what agents check.

The ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House has closed. Move each employer client to a new super clearing house that meets Payday Super.

Lodging a TBAR for an SMSF client? See which pension events go on the transfer balance account report, when it is due and what to collect first.

Is your client behind on a tax debt? Set up an ATO payment plan for them as their agent, keep it on track and know when the ATO will say no.

If a client is tendering for government work, request their statement of tax record as agent and check the running balance account before you do.

Selling property for a client? Lodge the clearance certificate application for Australian residents early so the buyer withholds nothing at settlement.

Holding a client’s refund or money in trust? Learn what APES 310 counts as client monies and the trust account and reconciliation rules you follow.

Use APES 315 compilation of financial information to check when the standard applies, what the engagement letter needs and how the report reads.

Report payroll for employer clients? STP Phase 2 splits gross across separate lines, so check how every pay item is mapped in the STP software.

When must a client register for GST? Work out the turnover test behind the GST registration threshold, the date it was crossed and what to do months later.

Which company clients lodge financial statements with ASIC? Work out whether Form 388 applies, what to attach to it and what late lodgement costs.

Before an SMSF borrows, the holding trust must exist. Here is what an LRBA is, what the bare trust deed must do and what to check on a fund you inherit.